Improved shoal-water indicator



Sheets-Sheet 1. R. M. KNAPP.

Shoal Water Indicator. No. 45,328. Patented Dec. 6, 1864;

FIG./

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

R. M. KNAPP.

Shoal Water Indicator.

Patented Dec. 6. 1864.

I VEN 7'0 6? 3% QM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT M. KNAPP, OF JERSEYVILLE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVED SHOAL-WATER INDICATOR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 45,328, dated December6, 1864; antedatel December 1, 1864.

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT M. KNAPP, of J erseyville, in the county ofJersey and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful SoundingApparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full andexact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making part of this specification, in which Figure 1 shows aside elevation of the boat with my apparatus, part of the hull beingremoved to expose the machinery in site. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionof the boat with my apparatus attached, the section being made a littleabaft of the machinery, so as to expose it in a rear elevation. Fig. 3is a top view or plan of the parts exposed above the floor of thepilot-house.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

The object of this invention is to provide an automatic andselfindicating sounding apparatus by which, when in operation and withina certain depth of water, the sounding or depth may be constantlyindicated to the eye of the pilot.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully understand and construct myinvention, I will proceed to describe it.

In the accompanying drawings, (t is the hull of a boat, of which I) andc are respectively the boiler and upper decks, d being designed torepresent the pilot-house. Pivoted to the under side of the boiler-deckb, and inside of the downward-projecting guard e, which is usuallypresent in Western riverboats, is a bar B which, when free from obstruction, is suspended vertically in the wa ter. This bar B is attachedto a shaft, 0, which rotates in bearings attached to the under side ofthe boiler'deck. To the inner end of this shaft is an arm, E, which, bymeans of a connecting-rod, F, actuates a segment wheel, H, and pinion,I, which rotate the vertical shaft J, to whose upper extremity a fingeror indicator is attached, and whose motion or position is observable ona vernier or index plate. Thus, the raising or the lowering of the barB, as the vessel, proceeding on its onward course, drags the end of thebar on the river-bottom, will indicate the soundings on the dial orindex.

It is designed to obviate various practical objections that might ariseby providing means for stowing compactly away and conveniently bringinginto service; the said bar also, to provide for casualties which mightarise from lateral motion, currents, or drift.

I will proceed to describe the contrivance which I have adopted to stowaway and bring into action, with speed and safety, the sounding-bar B bydirecting attention to the lever L, which projects conveniently abovethe floor of the pilot-house, and which, by means of a chain or cord, N,and arm G on the crank e, is made by depression to forcibly raise thebar B to a horizontal position close under the boiler-deck, and securefrom lateral strain by the depending guard e. The lever in its depressedposition is held by a catch, 0, or any ordinary equivalent means.

In practice it will often be found necessary to have the apparatus inaction, even under circumstances where the bar is subject to a lateralstrain.

It is a fact familiar to experts in river matters that, whatever may bethe direction of the vessels course as to her journey, she must headupstream to effect a landing, and this involves a lateral motion as sheswings, perhaps bow on, or broadside, up to the landing or shore. Thismay have to be accomplished, and often is, in the immediate neighborhoodof sand bars and detritus, natural or artificial. I provide against thiscontingency, at the same time give my bar B the true form for passingeasily through the water, by making its transverse section of aprolonged or flattened elliptical shape, so that it will bend readily tolateral pressure, as seen in Fig. 2.

I do not limit myself to the form, dimensions, or terminal appendage ofthe bar, as I have represented it in my drawings, as I may place a shoeat the end of the bar B in cases of constantly soft bottom, while in asandy or sufficiently hard bottom the roller or wheel W may be the moresatisfactory appendage.

It can hardly be necessary to specify the correct adjustment of thedialplate and tinger so that zero may be coincident with the level ofthe axis of theshaft e.

In case of high speed or strong head currents, or the possiblesubstitution of wood for metal in the construction of the bar B, I

.2. The combination of the lever L, with its catch 0, cord or chain N,and arm G, with the bar B and shaft 0, whereby the said bar may bestowed compactly away when not in use.

The above specification of my improved sounding apparatus signed this9th day of May, 1864.

ROBERT M. KNAPP. Witnesses:

' OHAs. DU 1301s,

. O. D. SMITH.

